ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Appropriate reference values are needed for assessment of pulmonary function during childhood. We performed pulmonary function test with simple computerized spirometry to establish reference values of air flow rates in healthy Korean children. METHODS: We examined 1,317 children aged 6 to 15 years at their schools by standardized method during May, 2001. The children with poor cooperation, respiratory symptom, and chronic disease were excluded. Regression analysis was applied for FVC, FEV1, PEF, FEF25-75% predicted from sex, age, standing height, weight, and body surface area. RESULTS: In 1,317 children(Male : 716, Female : 601), the distribution of height was from 106.7 cm to 173.5 cm, weight was from 16.5 kg to 75.5 kg. We could get regression equations and determinant coefficients between anthropometric parameters and air flow rates. In both sexes, height showed very close correlation with lung function variables, and FEV1 showed very close correlation with all anthropometric parameters. Reference values of pulmonary function test were generally higher in boys than in girls. CONCLUSION: After performing the pulmonary function test in healthy Korean children, we report their normal values of air flow rates and regression equations for the predicted values. Among anthropometric parameters, height showed most close correlation with lung function variables in both sexes.